Services
Scaling and Root Planing
Our deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar below the gumline, smoothing roots so your gums can heal and reattach.
Why choose us
Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing
Treats Gum Disease
We clean below the gumline to remove the buildup that inflames and infects your gums.
Helps Protect Your Teeth
Treating gum infection early helps preserve the support that holds your teeth in place.
Fresher, Healthier Gums
Removing hidden plaque and tartar can ease bleeding, tenderness, and persistent bad breath.
Periodontist On Staff
Our team includes a board-certified periodontist, so advanced gum care stays under one roof.
Comfort Options Available
If you feel anxious, we offer sedation options, including nitrous oxide, to help you relax.
Maybe you've noticed a little pink in the sink after brushing, or your gums look puffier than they used to. Maybe a recent checkup turned up deeper pockets around a few teeth, and you were told a regular cleaning won't be enough this time. These are some of the most common moments when patients first hear about scaling and root planing. It's a focused, nonsurgical way to treat gum disease at its source, and it's one of the most important tools we use to help people keep their natural teeth.
Scaling and root planing is a deep cleaning that reaches below the gumline, where a standard cleaning can't. When plaque sits on teeth too long, it hardens into tartar. Bacteria then begin collecting in the space between the gums and the tooth roots. Over time, the gums can pull away and form pockets that a toothbrush and floss simply can't reach. Scaling removes the plaque and tartar from those pockets. Root planing smooths the root surfaces so the gums have a clean, even surface to reattach to.
This treatment helps a wide range of people. Some patients have early gum disease that has moved beyond simple gum irritation. Others have more advanced pockets and need help stopping further damage. It can also be a starting point for broader care. Depending on your situation, it may come before procedures our team offers, such as gum grafting, periodontal regeneration, or dental implants.
Being a good candidate usually starts with what we find during an exam. We measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth and look at your gum health as a whole. If those measurements show that bacteria have settled below the gumline, a deep cleaning is often the next step. You may already have noticed some of the signs that bring patients to us:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gum tissue
- Persistent bad breath that doesn't go away with brushing
- Gums that appear to be pulling back from the teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or look like they've shifted
We also know that many people feel uneasy about any treatment below the gums. Our practice includes a board-certified periodontist and a board-certified dental anesthesiologist. That means we can match your care to how comfortable you feel. Options range from nitrous oxide to oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia for patients with significant dental anxiety. We're happy to talk through which approach makes sense for you before we begin.
What happens after scaling and root planing?
After treatment, the goal is to give your gums the best possible conditions to heal and tighten around your teeth. Some tenderness or sensitivity in the days afterward is common. We'll give you specific home-care guidance based on the areas we treated. Gentle, consistent brushing and flossing matters more than ever during this time, because it keeps new plaque from settling back into the pockets we just cleaned.
Follow-up is just as important as the treatment itself. Gum disease is a condition we manage over time, not something that goes away with one visit. Many patients move into periodontal maintenance. These are cleanings scheduled more often than a standard checkup, designed to keep pockets clean and catch changes early. At those visits, we measure your gums again to see how they've responded. If an area needs more attention, our periodontist can discuss further options, such as periodontal surgery or regenerative treatment.
Will my insurance cover a deep cleaning?
Many patients can use their insurance for scaling and root planing, and we accept all major PPO insurance plans. Because our periodontics care is billed as specialty care, coverage can vary from plan to plan. Our team can help you understand what your benefits look like before treatment begins.
If you don't have insurance, you're welcome here too. We accept self-pay patients, and financing is available to help make care fit your budget. Treating gum disease early is often simpler than addressing the problems it can cause later, so we never want cost questions to keep you from getting answers.
Why choose 805 Dentistry for gum disease treatment?
Our office in Thousand Oaks, led by Dr. Dar Radfar, brings general, family, and specialty care together under one roof. That means your deep cleaning, your follow-up maintenance, and any additional gum or implant care can all happen with a team that already knows your history. Patients visit us from throughout the area, including Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Agoura Hills, and Calabasas.
If your gums have been sending you signals, or a previous dentist mentioned deep pockets, we'd be glad to take a closer look. Reach out to our team to schedule an exam, and we'll walk you through what we find and the options that fit your needs.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Gum Health Evaluation
We examine your gums and measure the pockets around each tooth to plan your care.
- 2
Deep Cleaning Treatment
We carefully remove plaque and tartar below the gumline and smooth the root surfaces so gums can heal.
- 3
Ongoing Periodontal Maintenance
We schedule follow-up visits to check your healing and help keep gum disease from returning.